Braxton was born in Severn, Maryland to Michael and Evelyn Braxton. The youngest of the Braxton's six children, Tamar started singing as a toddler. Evelyn, herself an opera singer, recognized her children's talents when one day, Tamar, sang "Can you please get me some toilet paper!" Evelyn quickly started training her girls, and eventually enrolled them in singing lessons. The Braxton children also would eventually enter in their church choir, where Michael Braxton was pastor.
Brought up in a strict Christian household, secular music was initially frowned upon, causing the children to sneak and sing along to Soul Train when the parents were out of the house. They would soon start harmonizing, forming a girl group. Tamar says of this period "I was always the highest note." Her voice was in sharp contrast to her older sister's husky contralto. One day, A Toni was pumping gas at a local gas station while singing along, when she caught the attention of a producer. He heard her sing and was amazed, and decided to pull the five sisters into a group; he envisioned a female version of the Jackson 5. They released a single on Atlantic Records in 1990 as "The Braxtons," and caught the attention of producers Antonio "L.A" Reid and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. The two had just started a then fledgling record label, LaFace, with Arista Records. The guys passed on the group, as they had just signed a new trio named TLC, but they were looking for a solo female artist and loved Toni's voice. So the girls talked it over, and Toni decided to embark on her now famous solo career.
The sisters worked as backup singers for Toni (you can see them in Toni's video Seven Whole Days). Eventually, the girls (minus Toni) would release an album for Atlantic, to which the group was still signed, in 1996 entitled So Many Ways.
In 1999, Tamar first explored her gospel side on T.D Jakes Love Songs album. Later, Tamar would meet up with Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, a rapper/producer (also famous for bringing Blu Cantrell to national attention) based in Atlanta, Georgia. She recorded her solo debut album, Ridiculous, so named because of the many different musical styles on the album. The album would be retooled and released by Dreamworks as Tamar on January 18, 2000. It was lead in by the first single for the album, "Get None" with guest appearances by Jermaine Dupri and rapper Amil and featured the second single, If You Don't Wanna Love Me. The singles failed to gain significant radio & video airplay and ultimately the album didn't sell well, and Tamar was dropped from her contract,it is also worth noting that tamar proved that she could do the whistle register on money can't buy you love on tamar's deut album.
Tamar sang for the Kingdom Come soundtrack, with Toni Braxton appearing in the movie as Juanita Slocumb. Currently she sang background for Toni's album More Than A Woman (released 2002),and 2005 album Libra and resides in Atlanta. She also negotiated a new contract with Tommy Mottola's Casablanca Records, and is working to record a new album. She also sang backup in her sister Toni's famous headlining show in Las Vegas entitled, "Toni Braxton: Revealed" but has been replaced by singer Sparkle. She is currently working on a new album and her own record company with fiance, producer Vincent Herbert.
If You Don't Wanna Love Me
Tamar Braxton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just the other day
And I want to say
That I finally realized
The words I love you don't mean a thing
It's so hard for me to see
Because you meant everything to me
Even though it hurts, I gotta be strong
[Chorus]
If you don't want to love me, don't love me
Don't want to touch me, don't touch me
'Cause I don't want you
To do anything that you don't want to do
And if you don't want to miss me, don't miss me
Don't want to kiss me, don't kiss me
'Cause I don't want you to do anything
That you don't want to do, no
Who would've known that on
The nights that you were working late
All alone I'd lay awake in our bed
Someone else was puttin' food on your plate?
I refuse to believe
That you never, ever loved me
I've gotta move on
Our love is gone
And this house is not a home
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
You can be lonely
I don't really care
But didn't have to make me think
That you would be right here
You said that you would be there
So if you don't...
[Chorus x 4]
In Tamar Braxton's song "If You Don't Wanna Love Me," the singer is coming to terms with the fact that her partner no longer loves her. She stopped by to see them recently and realized that the words "I love you" no longer hold any meaning. Despite how hard it is for her to come to this realization, she knows that she has to move on and be strong. The chorus emphasizes that if her partner does not want to love her or touch her, she does not want them to do anything they do not want to do, and she does not want them to miss or kiss her either.
The lyrics describe how Tamar feels in the aftermath of a broken relationship. She is hurt but is trying to move on. It is revealed that her partner was cheating on her when they were supposedly working late, which hints at their lack of interest or love for her. Tamar refuses to believe that her partner never loved her, which suggests she still has some hope for reconciliation. However, she knows that their love is gone, and the house they once shared is no longer a home.
Overall, the song is about acceptance and moving on from a relationship that is no longer healthy. Tamar wants her partner to be honest with her about their feelings, even if it hurts her. She is not willing to sacrifice her self-worth or happiness for someone who does not care for her.
Line by Line Meaning
I stopped by to see you
I came to visit you.
Just the other day
Recently.
And I want to say
I need to tell you.
That I finally realized
I now understand something significant.
The words I love you don't mean a thing
I have discovered that saying 'I love you' has lost its meaning because of your actions.
It's so hard for me to see
It's difficult for me to comprehend.
Because you meant everything to me
Because you were everything to me.
But I guess I gotta move on
Nonetheless, I must let go.
Even though it hurts, I gotta be strong
Even though it is painful, I must be tough.
If you don't want to love me, don't love me
If you don't want to love me, don't fake it.
Don't want to touch me, don't touch me
If you don't want to touch me, don't pretend to do so.
'Cause I don't want you
Because I do not desire you.
To do anything that you don't want to do
Don't force yourself to do things that you do not want to do.
And if you don't want to miss me, don't miss me
If you don't want to think about me, don't force yourself.
Don't want to kiss me, don't kiss me
If you don't want to kiss me, don't pretend like you do.
'Cause I don't want you to do anything
I do not want you to do anything.
That you don't want to do, no
Whatever you do, make sure it is what you want to do.
Who would've known that on
Who would have thought that at that time.
The nights that you were working late
When you were working late at night.
All alone I'd lay awake in our bed
I was alone in our bed, unable to sleep.
Someone else was puttin' food on your plate?
Someone else had to feed you.
I refuse to believe
I won't accept.
That you never, ever loved me
That you never loved me is not something I can believe.
I've gotta move on
I must move forward.
Our love is gone
Our love has dissolved.
And this house is not a home
This house no longer feels like a home.
You can be lonely
You can feel lonely.
I don't really care
I am not concerned about it.
But didn't have to make me think
You didn't have to deceive me.
That you would be right here
That you would stay by my side.
You said that you would be there
You promised to be with me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER A STEWART, LATOCHA SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
angela jones
people don't wanna admit it and don't like it but tamar can really sing
Jamichael Thomas
She sing her heart out
Ashley Thomas
Jamichael Thomas
W
preach
Raquel Rene'
***** YES ma'am THAT's it!!! She CAN sing; it's that stank attitude that makes us turn up our noses!
DeAndre' Flyboi
Raquel, who dont got a stank attitude these days? Tamar is worst because she on TV?
jyn88
17 years ago when I heard this song on some bootleg mixed CD, I didn't know she was Toni Braxton's sister because she went by only her first name Tamar. I thought her voice was so beautiful and unforgettable. It's a nostalgic song for me. I think Tamar is a really underrated singer.
Khumalo. DT
25 years have passed. And I still feel the same as the first time I heard it.
THE MOTHER OF MANY
Yep
Bongani George
the time i had this song it has touch my heart ever still now i enjoy it .best song ever.